New Star Wars Attractions at Hollywood Studios

We’ve known for quite some time that there are some pretty big changes coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney recently released a statement that some of the cool new Star Wars attractions will be coming as soon as December 1st. This is unsurprising because the new movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is scheduled to hit the theaters on December 18th.

We’ll be heading down for our family vacation on December 5th so look forward to some reviews and great pictures of the new stuff soon from us here WDW Magical Memories.

Some of the attractions are being re-imagined and some of them are completely new. Here’s the breakdown.

Star Wars Launch Bay

Star Wars Launch Bay will be located in Animation Courtyard and Disney reports that it will be the primary place to immerse yourself in all things Star Wars. At the Launch Bay you will find:

Launch Bay Cargo where there will be unique items for sale that you cannot find elsewhere

The Cantina from the notorious Star Wars scene where Luke and Han first met

Launch Bay Theater which will be showing a short behind the scenes films complete with interviews of the minds behind Star Wars

A Character Meet & Greet where you will be able to meet Darth Vader and my favorite character, Chewbacca, who I’m told I have a striking resemblance to

The Star Wars Launch Bay sounds like it’s going to be a really cool place to hang out and explore. There will be replicas of large scale stuff used in the Star Wars movies, including some stuff from the upcoming new movie. It also sounds like there will be some new interactive games to check out.

Storm Trooper Patrols

Don’t be too surprised if you start running into Storm Trooper Patrols throughout the park starting soon. They will be on a mission to find members of the resistance and will be interacting with park guests. I hope that I get to interact with them soon.

Star Wars: Path of the Jedi

This will be an abridged film of Star Wars episodes I – VII in a cinema setting near Echo Lake. This film will cover all six of the current movies from the perspective of Luke Skywalker on his journey to becoming a Jedi Knight. It will culminate into the trailer of the new Star Wars film.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

This is a great “ride” and I’ve enjoyed it every time I’ve been on it. The experience is always a little different and now they’re adding more new features to it.

In this interactive show, the trainees will go through a Jedi training to see if they have what it takes to become a Jedi Knight. It culminates in a showdown between the trainees and Darth Vader or Darth Maul and maybe some other new villains are coming to it..

We do know that new characters are being added including a new villain to battle from Star Wars Rebels.

A Galactic Spectacular

Hollywood Studios is getting a new nighttime spectacular: Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular. This one does not start until January 5th, but if you are familiar with any of Disney’s fireworks displays, you will know that being disappointed by this one is not likely.

We don’t have too many details on it yet but we will be sure to update this post when we do.

I’m excited about the new Star Wars attractions at Hollywood Studios that are coming soon. And I’m excited that I’ll be able to get to see them in a few weeks. What are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments below.

This seems amazingly cool, I really like the way that you highlighted all of the new features that are coming in the future as well as what they currently have. I think it’s cool that they have a Star Wars themed park. This is definitely somewhere that I want to go in the future. I think it will take multiple trips to be able to fully take it all in.

Hey Justin, the entire park is not Star Wars themed, they are just adding what is being referred to “Star Wars Land” to the park. But it certainly is cool. And yes, there is no way you can get through any of the Disney World parks in a single day, even when the crowds are low. You will have to pick and choose what you want to do.

Hi, this new Star Wars attraction sounds really exciting. I think my kids will love it as they get to interact with characters from Star Wars. Iâ€™m not sure if Iâ€™ll dare to try the ride though as Iâ€™m afraid of heights and all that spinning and turning might make me nauseous lol.

I live in Singapore and we donâ€™t have Star Wars attraction yet. At least none that I know of. But if thereâ€™s one Iâ€™ll definitely be visiting it with my family. I think all Star Wars fan will love this! 🙂

Hey Yvonne, the Star Tours attraction does not spin and it is not tight quarters. It does move a bit to simulate the flight of the space craft but there is no spinning or stimulated G-Force. You do wear 3D glasses and some things do fly out at you but that is probably the most exciting thing. But I would consider it a thrill ride and it id odne very well.

I hope they give you some of the great Star Wars attractions in Singapore. The Star Tours ride would be a great addition to any of the Disney parks.

This is getting me so psyched for the new Star Wars movie. I canâ€™t wait to see The Force Awakens on the big screen and see Han Solo back in action. These new Star Wars attractions sound so exciting, especially the Cantina. I do hope they replicate it well enough to really make you feel like youâ€™re in the film. I wish they could have built a Star Wars-themed ride, though. That wouldâ€™ve been really cool, donâ€™t you think?

Hey Julie, I’m right there with ya on your excitement over The Force Awakens. Star Wars (A New Hope) was the very first PG movie that I ever saw and I was immediately enthralled with the story line. I spent most of my childhood playing made up Star Wars adventure games with one of my friends. I’m looking forward to what Disney brings in the partnership of the new film.

If I was a betting man I would say that the Cantina is going to be a lot of fun. I’ll find out for sure in a few weeks. 🙂

Star Tours actually is a Star Wars themed ride and it is really well done. They’re also working on another new ride that they’ve labeled the Starspeeder 1000 Experience. Here is a sneak peek:

Hi Roopesh, we were just there and a lot of them are already open. The Star Wars Launch Bay is awesome and we also got to experience the new Star Tours movie. Everything is coming along great. January is a great time to visit Disney World. The crowds are pretty low.

I have heard about this and cannot tell you how excited I am! The last time I went to Disney was in 2005 and there have been so many changes… I am planning on going again in 2016 so cannot wait to check it all out. (I am a big kid at heart really!) Wasn’t Hollywood Studios initially MGM Studios? I remember watching the whole process being put together of the drawings etc as a kid andit was pure magic to me. Sooo looking forward to being there again. I hope they still have the Jaws ride at Universal Studios as well!!! What is your favourite theme park?

Hey Holly, yes, Hollywood Studios was originally MGM. They changed the name due to some legal issues in 2007. Unfortunately, the Jaws ride at Universal was closed in 2012. Do I have to choose just one park as my favorite? 😉 If I was pinned down to it I would have to say Magic Kingdom because that’s where I have so many great memories with my kids.

I hope you have a great visit. Stop back by and let us know when you are going. We will be in the area three times within the next 8 months.

I haven’t been to Disney World in forever. My wife and I are planning on taking our kids next year. 1 will be 7 years old and other will be 2. I am soo looking forward to visiting this attraction. I am a Star Wars geek after all.
what would you say are the appropriate ages for this attraction?

Almost everything is age appropriate for your two kids. The 7 year old will certainly get a lot out of it. You may want to consider the Jedi Training Academy for the older child. I think you’ll really enjoy Starwars Launch Bay. Jawa are frequently roaming around in there and the meet and greets are fantastic. I’m sure you’ll all have a great time.